Mar 3, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) warms-up before the game against the Miami Marlins at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

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“Over half a billion dollars and can’t field” – $765 million Juan Soto botches almost-routine fly ball, Yankees fans react

We all know where that laughter is really coming from...

Mar 3, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) warms-up before the game against the Miami Marlins at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

When you get paid $765 million, there are way too many eyes on you. So even if it’s something as irrelevant as a defensive error in spring training, it will be big news.

Juan Soto’s historic contract didn’t just set a new financial benchmark, it reshaped the entire structure of baseball contracts moving forward. And yet, for all that money, Soto remains a two-tool player at best. His hitting is elite. But about his base running, speed, defense, and throwing? Let’s just say he’s got some work to do.

Five years from now, Soto might be the greatest hitter in the sport, but as it stands, there are still holes in his game. Case in point: last night against the Houston Astros. In the top of the fifth inning, Soto misplayed a deep ball to right field, gifting the Astros a run and Yankees fans a golden opportunity to let out some pent-up frustration.

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Because in all honesty, after rejecting the Yankees and signing with the Mets, this was all the fuel the Yankees fanbase needed to take aim at both Soto and their Queens rivals – something that I believe will go on for as long as Soto is with the Mets.

Yankees fans react with pure joy

Yankees fans joked about watching this for 15 more years, while others pointed out that hitting the ball in Soto’s direction was a guaranteed way to get on base. Some just laughed, while others sarcastically questioned if Jasson Domínguez had suddenly joined the Mets instead.

WHAT A CATCH BY JUAN SOTO pic.twitter.com/zdSAt1uzg2
— Evil Empire (@octoberstanton) March 7, 2025

OMGGG JUAN SOTO WITH THE CATCH OF THE YEARpic.twitter.com/R2d5DhKpKz
— ColeIsKing (@ColeIsKing_) March 7, 2025

@ATLhoe12345 😭😭😭 Mets fans will see this for 15 more years
— Swazy (@StudzMoneyOvaa) March 7, 2025

All ya have to do is hit the ball hard towards Soto and I promise you he won’t make the play
— ColeIsKing (@ColeIsKing_) March 7, 2025

I thought jasson dominguez was on our team?
— Last Place Jankis (@yankeessuck09) March 7, 2025

pic.twitter.com/aDWjclemNa
— Nacion Yankee (@NacionYankee) March 7, 2025

Being paid over half a billion dollars and cant field #crine
— Schizophrenic Sports Fan (@schizosportsfan) March 7, 2025

Sure, Soto’s defense is an issue, but let’s not pretend like it’s new information. The guy has repeatedly proved why he’s worth $765 million, his bat does all the talking. And at just 26, his ceiling is unimaginable.

So yeah, Yankees fans (myself included) can have their moment, laughing at a spring training error like it actually matters. But let’s not kid ourselves – we all know where that laughter is really coming from.

Juan Soto

Mets

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.